No one can argue that 2020 has been an awful year that we all want to put behind us. But before we look ahead 2021, we have to take a minute to appreciate how sports have provided something resembling normality in recent months.
Considering the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been incredibly lucky to have soccer leagues playing regularly since June.
Now, lets turn our attention to 2021. A first half of the year packed with international tournaments and cup finals is follwed by a busy summer that contains Euro 2021, the Gold Cup, Copa América, and the Tokyo Summer Olympics.
Here are a few things to note before diving into the 2021 calendar:
- The starting dates for the 2021/22 domestic season have not yet been announced. Leagues usually start up again in the first part of August, but it's possible this could be pushed back slightly due to the congested fixture list this season.
- We also don't know how the later end to the club season will affect the dates of the summer transfer window.
2021 Soccer Calendar
January
2: Transfer Window opens (England, Germany, France)
4: Transfer Window opens (Spain, Italy)
7: Liga MX Clausura begins
10: Marine AFC vs Tottenham (FA Cup Third Round)
23: Copa Libertadoes Final
February
1: Transfer Window ends (All European Leagues)
10: MLS Transfer Window opens
16-17, 23-24: UEFA Champions League Round of 16, first leg
20: Merseyside Derby
20: Milan Derby
March
MLS season begins (Date TBD)
6: Manchester Derby
6: Der Klassiker (Bayern vs. Dortmund)
7: Madrid Derby
9-10, 16-17: UEFA Champions League Round of 16, second leg
24-31: UEFA World Cup 2022 Qualifying
25, 31: CONMEBOL World Cup 2022 Qualifying
April
4: 2020 Copa Del Rey Final, Athletic Bilbao vs Real Sociedad (Rescheduled from April 2020)
6-7: UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals, first leg
11: El Clásico
13-14: UEFA Champions League Quarterfinals, second leg
18: Copa Del Rey Final
27-28 UEFA Champions League Semifinals, first leg
May
NWSL season begins (Date TBD)
4: MLS Transfer Window Closes
4-5: UEFA Champions League Semifinals, second leg
12: DFB Pokal Final
15: FA Cup Final
16: UEFA Women's Champions League Final
19: Copa Italia Final
22: Bundesliga Final Day
23: Final Day for Premier League, Serie A and La Liga
26: Europa League Final (Stadion Energa Gdańsk, Poland)
29: UEFA Champions League Final (Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul)
29-31: EFL Championship Playoff Final (Exact date TBD)
30: Liga MX Clausura ends
June
3, 8: CONMEBOL World Cup 2022 Qualifying
11: Euro 2021 begins
11: CONMEBOL Copa América begins
26: Euro Knockout Stage begins
July
6-7: Euro 2021 semifinals
10: CONMEBOL Copa América Final
10: CONCACAF Gold Cup begins
11: Euro 2021 Final (Wembley Stadium, London)
21: Soccer begins at Tokyo Summer Olympics
August
Most European Domestic Leagues Start (Dates TBD)
1: CONCACAF Gold Cup Final
7: Tokyo Summer Olympics Soccer Gold Medal Match
September
UEFA Champions League Group Stage begins (Dates TBD)
CONCACAF World Cup 2022 Qualifying Third Round (Dates TBD)
2, 7: CONMEBOL World Cup 2022 Qualifying
4-7: UEFA World Cup 2022 Qualifying
October
FA Cup First Round Proper Begins (Date TBD)
CONCACAF World Cup 2022 Qualifying Third Round (Dates TBD)
7, 12: CONMEBOL World Cup 2022 Qualifying
11-12: UEFA World Cup 2022 Qualifying
November
NWSL Playoffs begin (Dates TBD)
CONCACAF World Cup 2022 Qualifying Third Round (Dates TBD)
11, 16: CONMEBOL World Cup 2022 Qualifying
11-16: UEFA World Cup 2022 Qualifying
20: MLS Playoffs begin
December
UEFA Champions League Group Stage Concludes
12: MLS Cup